U.S. Freestyle Selection Events Wrap Up with Dual Moguls

The club athletes led the way on the final day of the U.S. Freestyle Selection Events in Winter Park, Colo. Landon Wendler of the Wasatch Freestyle/Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club was atop the podium for the men and Lulu Shaffer of Park City Ski & Snowboard Club/Stratton Mountain School won for the women in the dual moguls competition. Today wasn't all about the podiums - several athletes earned World Cup starts, many of them for the first time, in the upcoming FIS World Cup events in Canada and Utah. 

It was a day to celebrate the young talent in the moguls community, with over ten athletes qualifying for World Cup starts. "I am really excited to have the young athletes involved. I am looking forward to taking them onto the tour and letting them get a taste of World Cup and competing against the best in the world," Coach Bryon Wilson said. "I think we have a really strong team and I look forward to the next competition." 

On the women's side, Shaffer ended the week qualifying for both the Val St-Come World Cup and the Intermountain Health Freestyle International at Deer Valley. "I am so excited! This is something that I have been working towards for a really long time and at most points in my life did not think it would happen. To be here is pretty surreal and I am really grateful," Shaffer said. 

For the men, Wendler was on top, and right there with him was Peyton Billeisen of Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club in second. For Wendler, it may have taken a few years, but he's back in the World Cup circuit qualifying for both Val St-Come and Deer Valley based on his results from the week. "I'm really excited to have the chance again in Deer Valley! It's been a couple of rough years. I feel like I finally earned it, and I made my way back to the World Cup!" 

For Billeisen, he ended the day speechless. "I thought this would take a lot longer," when asked about qualifying for his first-ever World Cup in Deer Valley. "The event started out a little rocky, but I picked it up and... I'm speechless, I don't even know what to say," said Billeisen. 

For the U.S. Freestyle D-Team athletes, Dylan Marcellini and Alli Macuga were both third, respectively. Both in the small final battling it out for the third place, Marcellini competed against Ski and Snowboard Club Vail club athlete, Lucas Nash with Macuga against Park City Ski and Snowboard club athlete, Kylie Kariotis.

Moving forward, athletes will rest over the weekend before either traveling to Canada or training for the next set of competitions. 

RESULTS

Men

Women

QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CUP

Intermountain Health Freestyle International at Deer Valley Resort 

Men

• Ryan Tam - Olympic Valley Freestyle Team
• Garrett Marley - Ski and Snowboard Club Vail
• Landon Wendler - Wasatch Freestyle/Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
• Peyton Billeisen - Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
• Charlie Mickel - U.S Freestyle D-Team
• Dylan Marcellini - U.S Freestyle D-Team

Women

• August Davis - Park City Ski and Snowboard
• Lulu Shaffer - Park City Ski and Snowboard/ Stratton Mountain School
• Kasey Hogg - U.S Freestyle D-Team
• Alli Macuga - U.S Freestyle D-Team
• Kylie Kariotis - Park City Ski and Snowboard

Val St-Come Freestyle World Cup  

Men

• Charlie Mickel - U.S Freestyle D-Team
• Dylan Marcellini - U.S Freestyle D-Team
• Landon Wendler - Wasatch Freestyle/Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

Women

• Alli Macuga - U.S Freestyle D-Team
• Lulu Shaffer - Park City Ski and Snowboard/ Stratton Mountain School